Though tonneau covers may look tough, they can easily get dirty and stained from exposure to the elements. Luckily, cleaning your tonneau cover is a relatively simple task, and only requires a few basic supplies.
Clean The Truck Bed
The first step is to clean the truck bed itself. This will ensure that any dirt or debris on the truck bed does not transfer onto the tonneau cover. You can use a mild soap and water solution to clean the truck bed, or you can use a dedicated truck bed cleaner. Once the truck bed is clean, make sure to rinse it off completely so that no soap residue is left behind.
Wash The Cover Inside Out
Now that the truck bed is clean, you can wash the tonneau cover. You will need to use a dedicated tonneau cover cleaner for this step. Use a soft sponge or cloth to apply the cleaner in small circles, making sure that it does not come into contact with any other parts of the truck. Rinse off the cover thoroughly and make sure there are no streaks left behind from soap residue.
Clean The Inside Thoroughly
If your tonneau cover has an inside part, you will need to clean this as well. The inside part is usually made of a softer material that is more susceptible to staining. Start by vacuuming the inside part to remove any dirt or debris. Then, use a mild soap and water solution to spot clean any areas that are particularly dirty. Rinse off the soap completely and allow the inside part of the cover to air dry.
Remove Stains
Once the cover is clean, you can treat any stains that may be present. For tough stains, you can use a stain remover designed for use on cars or trucks. Apply the stain remover to a soft cloth and rub it into the stain in a circular motion. Rinse off the stain remover completely and allow the cover to air dry.
Rinse Off With A Clean Cloth and Clean Water
As anyone who has ever washed a tonneau cover knows, it’s important to rinse off the cleanser properly. Otherwise, you’ll just end up spreading the soap around and making it harder to scrub later on. The best way to rinse off the cleanser is with a clean cloth. Just squeeze out some clean water onto the cloth and then wipe down the cover. You may need to do this a few times to make sure that all of the soap is removed. By rinsing off properly, you’ll keep your tonneau cover looking its best.
Wipe Off Truck Bed Cover
Once you’ve cleaned and rinsed your tonneau cover, it’s time to dry it off. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe down the cover. Make sure to get rid of any water droplets that may be present. Once the cover is dry, you can put it back on your truck bed.
After that, take another clean cloth and go over the tonneau cover one last time to remove any excess moisture. Be sure to pay extra attention to any spots or corners where water may have collected, as this can lead to streaks or stains if you leave it untreated.
Use Fabric Protector
When it comes to keeping your tonneau cover clean and free of dirt, grime, and debris, the key is to wipe off your truck bed cover regularly. To start, fill a bucket with lukewarm water and add a few drops of mild soap or car wash solution. Soak a soft cloth in the mixture and use it to gently wipe down the entire surface of your tonneau cover.
Once your tonneau cover is completely dry, you can enjoy all the benefits of this versatile vehicle accessory for many years to come! Whether you’re hauling heavy cargo or using your truck for daily driving, having a tonneau cover installed will keep your truck bed safe from wear and tear while also enhancing its overall appearance.
Allow It Dry Completely
It’s important to make sure your tonneau cover is dry before exposing it to any kind of weather. If you don’t, the cleaner could wear off easily, especially if it’s exposed to heat during summertime. So wait at least 48 hours before putting your cover back on.
To be extra safe, let it dry overnight. That way, you can be sure there are no traces of moisture left behind. Just remember not to expose the product to sunlight while it’s drying – better safe than sorry, right?
Apply Second Coat
If you notice that your truck bed cover is still a bit dirty or discolored, you can always apply another coat of cleaner and re-wash it.
Simply spray a generous amount onto the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then use a soft cloth to wipe away any leftover residue. This will ensure that those pesky stains never show up again, leaving your tonneau cover looking as good as new.
Remove Residue (if any)
If you’re looking to get the most out of your tonneau cover, it’s important to buff off any residue that may be left behind after applying the second coat. This step will help to ensure that your cover looks better than before, and it’s the best way to make sure that there’s no oily or sticky residue left behind.
You can use either an electric orbital sander or a wheel buffer to remove those pesky stains. You might have to rub it 4 to 5 times to get the desired result. It is kinda normal to have some traces of polymer residue on the cover since you were doing spray cleaning. Just use a paper towel to remove those layers and you will be just fine.
Reinstall
Now, it is time to get the Tonneau Cover installed properly. Start off with reinstalling the lock and then reinstall all other parts that had removed to clean your Tonneau Cover.
